Foldable bed

ABSTRACT

A foldable bed, including a frame with a first end and a second end, a pair of side rails, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed, at least one leg assembly secured to the pair of side rails, and an end rail including a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge. The first portion and second portion each including a proximal end secured to the center hinge and a distal end rotatably secured to the first end of a corresponding side rail so that the first and second portions of the end rail are movable from a first position in which the first and second portions of the end rail are axially aligned, to a second position in which the first and second portions are substantially parallel to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bed that is foldable along both its longitudinal and lateral axes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of foldable beds are currently available in the market. For example, both unidirectionally and bidirectionally foldable beds are known. Typically, unidirectionally foldable beds are fairly simple in structure, but because they are only foldable along one axis, their longitudinal axis, the volume of the folded bed may be larger than is desired. Bidirectionally foldable beds tend to be more complex in structure, but the volume of the bed when folded is smaller than a typical unidirectionally folded bed.

Although more desirable from the viewpoint of having reduced volume when folded, typical bidirectionally foldable beds presently available in the market often suffer from a common defect. Specifically, after the bed is unfolded, the bedding surface fabric is in tension only in a single direction, the lateral direction, due to the tension applied thereto by the side rails of the bed's frame. The bedding surface at the head and foot of the bed is relaxed due to a lack of tension in the longitudinal direction. To overcome this shortcoming, it is known to add two rails, one at each end, to provide tension in the longitudinal direction. Applying tension in both the longitudinal and lateral directions adds higher rigidity to the bedding surface, thereby providing greater support to the user. In particular, one's head is better supported by the bedding.

Note, however, drawbacks are introduced by use of the two additional rails. First, when the bed is initially unfolded, the two end rails typically must be inserted through respective sleeves found along the outer perimeter of the bedding surface. To provide the desired tension to the bedding surface in the longitudinal direction, one must apply force to pull the bedding surface taught in the longitudinal direction prior to securing the end rails to the side rails. This can be very troublesome and time consuming, especially for those of limited strength. Additionally, when it is desired to fold the bed up after use, removal of the end rails requires that the user exert just as much force on the bedding surface as when the end rails are installed. Moreover, because the end rails are detachable from the remainder of the bed's frame, the end rails are usually pulled out of the respective sleeves to be stored separately, meaning they may be easily lost.

The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a foldable bed in accordance with the present disclosure includes a frame with a first end and a second end, a pair of side rails, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed, at least one leg assembly secured to the pair of side rails, and at least one end rail including a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail including a proximal end secured to the center hinge and a distal end rotatably secured to the first end of a corresponding side rail so that the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are movable from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are substantially parallel to each other.

Another embodiment of a foldable bed in accordance with the present disclosure includes a frame with a first end and a second end, a first side rail and a second side rail, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed, at least one leg assembly secured to the first side rail and the second side rail, and a first end rail including a first outer hinge, the first outer hinge connecting a first distal end of the first end rail to the first end of the first side rail so that the first end rail is movable from a first position in which the first end rail is perpendicular to the first side rail to a second position in which the first end rail is parallel too the first side rail.

A method of using a foldable bed in accordance with the present disclosure includes providing a frame with a first end and a second end, providing a pair of side rails, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed, providing at least one leg assembly secured to the pair of side rails, providing at least one end rail including a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail including a proximal end secured to the center hinge and a distal end rotatably secured to the first end of a corresponding side rail, and lifting upwardly on the at least one end rail so that the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are moved from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are substantially parallel to each other.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable bed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the foldable bed shown in FIG. 1, with the bedding surface removed for ease of viewing;

FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of an end of the foldable bed frame;

FIGS. 4A through 4C are perspective views of an end rail of the foldable bed shown in FIG. 1, being folded to facilitate storage of the foldable bed;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are top and side views, respectively, of the center hinge of the end rail shown in FIGS. 4A-4C; and

FIGS. 6A through 6D are perspective views of the foldable bed frame shown in FIG. 2, in various states of being folded for storage of the foldable bed.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a bidirectional foldable bed 100 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a bedding surface 106 supported by a foldable frame 120. Frame 120 includes a pair of parallel side rails 122, a pair of parallel end rails 140, each end rail 140 being disposed at a corresponding first end 102 and second end 104 of bed 100, and a plurality of leg assemblies 180. Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 2, a first leg assembly 180 a is disposed at first end 102 of the bed, a second leg assembly 180 b is disposed at second end 104 of the bed, and a third leg assembly 180 c is disposed at the center of bed 100, each of the leg assemblies being connected to both side rails 122, as discussed in greater detail below.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, foldable bed 100 is shown with bedding surface 106 removed to facilitate the description of frame 120. As shown, each side rail 122 includes a first portion 124, a second portion 126 and a center hinge 128. Each side rail center hinge 128 is substantially T-shaped, having a top portion 130 and a base portion 132 extending therefrom. For each side rail 122, the proximal ends of first portion 124 and second portion 126 are pivotally secured to the opposing ends of top portion 130 of a corresponding side rail center hinge 128. As such, as discussed in greater detail below, each side rail center hinge 128 allows first portion 124 and second portion 126 of the corresponding side rail 122 to be moved from a position in which first and second portions 124 and 126 are axially aligned to a position in which first and second portions 124 and 126 are substantially parallel to each other (FIG. 6C). As shown in FIG. 2, base portion 132 of one side rail center hinge 128 is non-rotatably fixed to a first leg 182 of center leg assembly 180 c, whereas base portion 132 of the other side rail center hinge 128 is non-rotatably fixed to a second leg 184 of center leg assembly 180 c.

Additionally, the distal end of each side rail's first portion 124, which is disposed at first end 102 of bed 100, includes a cylindrical shaft 176 extending outwardly therefrom. Similarly, the distal end of each side rail's second portion 126, which is disposed at second end 104 of bed 100, includes a cylindrical shaft 176 extending outwardly therefrom, as best seen in FIG. 3. Each cylindrical shaft 176 is configured to be rotatably received within a cylindrical bore 164 of a corresponding end rail 140, as discussed in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 3, each leg assembly 180 includes a first leg 182, a second leg 184 and center hinge 192. First leg 182 of each leg assembly 180 is unitarily constructed, whereas each second leg 184 includes a first portion 186 and second portion 188. As shown, the center of each leg assembly center hinge 192 is pivotally secured at the mid-portion of the corresponding first leg 182, and the proximal end of each first portion 186 and second portion 188 of the corresponding second leg 184 is non-rotatably secured to a respective arm of the corresponding leg assembly center hinge 192. As such, first and second portions 186 and 188 of each second leg 184 are disposed on opposite sides of the corresponding first leg 182. This configuration facilitates the folding of bed 100 relative to the bed's longitudinal center axis 101 (FIG. 6A), as discussed in greater detail below.

The proximal ends of first legs 182 of both first and second leg assemblies 180 a and 180 b are pivotally secured to a corresponding side rail 122 by an L-shaped base hinge 194. Specifically, as best seen in FIG. 3, a first portion 196 of each base hinge 194 is pivotally secured to a corresponding side rail 122, whereas the proximal end of each first leg 182 is non-pivotally secured to a second portion 198 of the corresponding base hinge 194. Similarly, the proximal end of each second leg 184 is non-pivotally secured to second portion 198 of a corresponding base hinge 194, whereas first portion 196 of the corresponding base hinge 194 is pivotally secured to the corresponding side rail 122. As discussed in greater detail below, this configuration allows first and second leg assemblies 180 a and 180 b to be folded inwardly such that they are substantially parallel to the pair of side rails 122 (FIG. 6B). Note, first leg 182 and second leg 184 of third leg assembly 180 c are each secured to the center of the corresponding side rail 122 by a base portion 132 of a corresponding side rail center hinge 128. A distal end of each first leg 182 and second leg 184 preferably includes a foot 190 comprised of a non-slip material.

Referring still to FIG. 3, each end rail 140 includes a first portion 142, a second portion 144, a center hinge 146 and a pair of end hinges 160. As shown, a proximal end of both first portion 142 and second portion 144 is secured to center hinge 146, whereas a distal end of each first portion 142 and second portion 144 is fixed to a corresponding end hinge 160. Referring additionally to FIGS. 5A and 5B, each end rail center hinge 146 includes a first plate 148 with a plurality of ribs 150 depending outwardly from its top surface, and a second plate 152 which similarly includes a plurality of ribs 154 depending outwardly from its top surface. First plate 148 and second plate 152 of each center hinge 146 are pivotally secured to each other by a pivot pin 156. First plate 148 and second plate 152 of each end rail center hinge 146 are pivotal between a first position (shown in FIG. 3) in which the first and second plates 148 and 152 are parallel to each other and their corresponding ribs 150 and 154, respectively, are alternatingly engaged, to a second position in which first and second plates 148 and 152 are coplanar such that the first and second portions 142 and 144 of the corresponding end rail 140 are parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 4B.

Each end hinge 160 is constructed similarly to the above-discussed center hinge 146 with regard to having a first plate 168, a plurality of ribs 172 extending outwardly therefrom, a second plate 165, a plurality of ribs 166 extending outwardly therefrom, and a pivot pin 172 that pivotally connects the first and second plates. Additionally, however, each end hinge 160 further includes a collar 162 disposed opposite ribs 166 on second plate 165. Each collar 162 defines a cylindrical bore 164 that is configured to rotatably receive a cylindrical shaft 176 of a corresponding side rail 122 (FIG. 3). This configuration allows the corresponding first and second portion 142 and 144, to which the end hinge 160 is attached, to be rotated relative to the corresponding side rail 122, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As discussed in greater detail below, this, in part, allows frame 120 to be folded without removal of end rails 140 from side rails 122 of the frame. Each end rail 140 is axially secured to the pair of side rails 122 by a pair of end caps 178 that have a greater diameter than that of cylindrical bore 164 of the corresponding end hinge 160, as best seen in FIGS. 4A through 4C.

As shown in FIG. 1, bedding surface 106 preferably includes a plurality of elongated pockets 108 disposed about its outer periphery, and a plurality of cutouts 110. Elongated pockets 108 are configured to slidably receive corresponding portions of the pair of side rails 122 and the pair of end rails 140. Cutouts 110 are provided where necessary to accommodate for motion of the various rail portions and hinges during the folding process of bed 100, as discussed in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6A through 6D, a preferred method of folding bed 100 is discussed. Note, once again, bedding surface 106 is not present in the figures to facilitate discussion of the method of folding frame 120. Starting from the in-use position shown in FIG. 2, a user initially lifts upwardly on end rail center hinge 146 of each end rail 140 so that first and second portions 142 and 144 of each end rail 140 begin to move from a first position in which the first and second portions 142 and 144 are axially aligned (FIG. 3) to a second position in which first and second portions 142 and 144 of each end rail 140 are parallel to each other (FIGS. 4B and 6A). When first and second portions 142 and 144 of each end rail 140 are parallel to each other, frame 120 has been fully folded along its longitudinal center axis 101 (FIG. 6A). To facilitate folding frame 120 longitudinally, once end rail center hinges 146 have been raised enough that the corresponding first and second portions 142 and 144 of the end rails are no longer axially aligned, as shown in FIG. 4A, a user can push inwardly on the pair of side rails 122 until they are adjacent each other. Note, as the pair of side rails 122 move closer to each other, each leg assembly 180 moves to a position in which first and second portions 186 and 188 of second leg 184 abut opposite sides of the corresponding first leg 182.

To fold frame relative to lateral axes 103, each end rail 140 is pushed inwardly so that each end rail 140 pivots downwardly until its first and second portions 142 and 144 are parallel to the pair of side rails 122 (FIG. 4C). Additionally, both first leg assembly 180 a and second leg assembly 180 b are pushed inwardly so that they pivot about their corresponding base hinges 194 until both leg assemblies are also parallel to the pair of side rails 122, as shown in FIG. 6B.

To complete folding frame 120 about lateral axes 103, the user pushes downwardly on first portions 124 of both side rails 122 and second portions 126 of both side rails so that both first portions 124 and second portions 126, and the corresponding leg assemblies and end rails connected thereto, pivot inwardly about the corresponding side rail center hinges 128 toward third leg assembly 180 c. FIG. 6C and 6D show frame 120 fully folded relative to both longitudinal center axis 101 and lateral axis 103.

While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable bed, comprising: a frame with a first end and a second end; a pair of side rails, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed; at least one leg assembly secured to the pair of side rails; and at least one end rail including a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail including a proximal end secured to the center hinge and a distal end rotatably secured to the first end of a corresponding side rail so that the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are movable from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are substantially parallel to each other.
 2. The foldable bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one end rail further comprises a first end rail disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end rail disposed at a second end of the frame.
 3. The foldable bed of claim 2, further comprising: a bedding surface supported by the pair of side rails and the first and second end rails, wherein the end rails apply tension to the bedding surface along a longitudinal center axis of the bed and the pair of side rails apply tension to the bedding surface along a lateral axis of the bed.
 4. The foldable bed of claim 1, further comprising: a first outer hinge disposed at the distal end of the first portion of the at least one end rail, a second outer hinge disposed at the distal end of the second portion of the at least one end rail, so that the at least one end rail is movable from the second position to a third position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are substantially parallel to the pair of opposed side rails.
 5. The foldable bed of claim 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are transverse to the pair of side rails in the second position.
 6. The foldable bed of claim 4, wherein each outer hinge includes a collar defining a cylindrical bore, wherein the cylindrical bore is rotatably received about the first end of the corresponding side rail.
 7. The foldable bed of claim 1, wherein each side rail further comprises a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of each side rail including a proximal end pivotably secured to the side rail center hinge and a distal end extending outwardly therefrom, so that the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are movable from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are substantially parallel to each other.
 8. The foldable bed of claim 7, wherein the at least one leg assembly further comprises a first leg assembly with a first leg, a second leg and a center hinge, wherein a proximal end of the first leg is secured to the side rail center hinge of a first one of the pair of the pair of side rails and a proximal end of the second leg is secured to the side rail center hinge of a second one of the pair of side rails
 9. The foldable bed of claim 8, wherein the at least one leg assembly further comprises a second leg assembly and a third leg assembly disposed at the first end and the second end of the frame, respectively.
 10. A foldable bed, comprising: a frame with a first end and a second end; a first side rail and a second side rail, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed; at least one leg assembly secured to the first side rail and the second side rail; and a first end rail including a first outer hinge, the first outer hinge connecting a first distal end of the first end rail to the first end of the first side rail so that the first end rail is movable from a first position in which the first end rail is perpendicular to the first side rail to a second position in which the first end rail is parallel too the first side rail.
 11. The foldable bed of claim 10, wherein the first end rail further comprises a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of the first end rail each including a proximal end secured to the center hinge and a distal end rotatably secured to the first end of a corresponding side rail so that the first portion and the second portion of the first end rail are movable from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of the first end rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of the first end rail are substantially parallel to each other.
 12. The foldable bed of claim 10, further comprising a second end rail disposed at the second end of the frame.
 13. The foldable bed of claim 12, further comprising: a bedding surface supported by the pair of side rails and the first and second end rails, wherein the end rails apply tension to the bedding surface along a longitudinal center axis of the bed and the pair of side rails apply tension to the bedding surface along a lateral axis of the bed.
 14. The foldable bed of claim 10, further comprising a second outer hinge disposed at a second distal end of the first end rail, the second outer hinge rotatably connecting the second distal end of the end rail to the first end of the second side rail.
 15. The foldable bed of claim 14, wherein each of the first outer hinge and the second outer hinge includes a collar defining a cylindrical bore, wherein each cylindrical bore is rotatably received about the first end of the corresponding side rail.
 16. The foldable bed of claim 10, wherein each side rail further comprises a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of the side rail each including a proximal end pivotably secured to the side rail center hinge and a distal end extending outwardly therefrom, so that the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are movable from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are substantially parallel to each other.
 17. The foldable bed of claim 16, wherein the at least one leg assembly further comprises a first leg assembly with a first leg, a second leg and a center hinge, wherein a proximal end of the first leg is secured to the side rail center hinge of a first one of the pair of the pair of side rails and a proximal end of the second leg is secured to the side rail center hinge of a second one of the pair of side rails.
 18. A method of folding a foldable bed, comprising: providing a frame with a first end and a second end; providing a pair of side rails, each side rail including a first end disposed at the first end of the frame and a second end disposed at the second end of the frame, each side rail being parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the bed; providing at least one leg assembly secured to the pair of side rails; providing at least one end rail including a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail including a proximal end secured to the center hinge and a distal end rotatably secured to the first end of a corresponding side rail; and lifting upwardly on the at least one end rail so that the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are moved from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are substantially parallel to each other.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: pushing inwardly on the at least one end rail so that the at least one end rail moves from the second position in which the first portion and the second portion are perpendicular to the pair of side rails to a third position in which the first portion and the second portion of the at least one end rail are parallel to the pair of side rails.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein providing a pair of side rails step further comprises: each side rail further including a first portion, a second portion and a center hinge, the first portion and the second portion of each side rail including a proximal end pivotably secured to the side rail center hinge and a distal end extending outwardly therefrom; and moving the first portion and the second portion of each side rail from a first position in which the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are axially aligned to a second position in which the first portion and the second portion of each side rail are substantially parallel to each other. 